Photo Coverage: MARY POPPINS Celebrates 1000th Performance!

ADVENTURES BY DISNEY provided the lucky audience members with the "Cities of Knights and Lights" package in honor of the show's soaring success. The travel package will take the Moore family to the rooftops of London and beyond with a once-in-a-lifetime vacation experience in Europe including a VIP backstage tour of the Disney's The Lion King in the West End; a visit to Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London; high-tea at the world-famous Harrods of Knightsbridge; lunch inside the Eiffel Tower; a privately-guided tour of the Louvre; a bike ride through the royal gardens of Versailles and much more.

Produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Thomas Schumacher for Disney Theatrical Productions, the Broadway production of Mary Poppins has grossed over $ 132 million to date, recouped its initial Broadway investment within 52 weeks of its premiere and has been seen by over 1.6 million theatergoers.

Simultaneously, the show's popularity grows around the globe. Following a successful three-year run at the Prince Edward Theatre in London's West End, a UK tour commenced last summer garnering critical and box office success. The UK tour opened in Plymouth, moved on to Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester and will close this month in Cardiff. A North American tour launched at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre on March 25, 2009 to rave reviews from Chicago's top theatrical critics. After Chicago, the tour heads to Cleveland's Playhouse Square, followed by additional cities including Minneapolis, St. Louis, Dallas and Los Angeles.

Many journalists have noted the parallels between the themes of Mary Poppins and the current economic troubles that are plaguing North America and the rest of the world, highlighting the relevancy of this timeless story. As Variety noted just last month, "Changing economic circumstances since the show's premiere add potent emotional currency."

It has been 75 years since P.L. Travers first wrote about the magic of Mary Poppins in her cherished novels, and the tale remains fresh and resonant to so many generations today. Based on Travers' stories and the classic 1964 Walt Disney film, Mary Poppins the stage play features the Academy Award®-winning music and lyrics of Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The stage production has been created, in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh, by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes, who wrote the book, and the Olivier Award-winning team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, who composed new songs and additional music and lyrics.

Olivier Award-winning director Richard Eyre led the Mary Poppins creative team, with co-direction and choreography by Tony® and Olivier Award winner Matthew Bourne. Mary Poppins features set and costume design by Tony Award® winner Bob Crowley, co-choreography by Olivier Award winner Stephen Mear, lighting design by Howard Harrison, orchestrations by William David Brohn, music supervision by David Caddick, and music direction by Brad Haak. Scarlett Strallen and Adam Fiorentino respectively play the roles of Mary Poppins and Bert, the chimney sweep.

With Disney-trained Adventure Guides, engaging activities, VIP experiences and personal touches throughout, Adventures by Disney excites and delights every member of the family. Guests wanting more information about Adventures by Disney can visit www.AdventuresbyDisney.com, call 877/728-7282, or contact their travel agent.

As an Equity actor, Peter is photographing the industry from the inside out. He has performed in numerous shows regionally, sung a duet with Richard Chamberlain in the National Tour of "Scrooge," and starred in "The Zoo Project" which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. When not on stage, he can be found photographing headshots and live theatre in NYC, Chicago and LA. As an Adobe Certified Expert in Photoshop, he also acts as a retouching artist for photographers city-wide. For more information, please visit: http://www.pjzstudios.com

More Articles by This Author...